Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty is an Alabama death row prisoner founded and run organization, established in 1989.

Our mission is to work together with friends and other supporters to educate the public and to bring about the abolition of the death penalty in Alabama.

Friends,We are very sad to announce that the State of Alabama took the life of Ronald B. Smith, our Chairman tonight at Holman Prison. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family members, friends and his valiant attorneys.

The Alabama Supreme Court has has denied Ronald Smith's petition challenging the constitutionality of the state's death penalty statute under Hurst v. Florida. A trial judge sentence Smith to death despite the 7-5 recommendation by the jury that he receive a life sentence. Smith, who is scheduled to be executed December 8, is seeking review in the United States Supreme Court.

SCOTUS will hold the conference regarding Thomas Arthur on the 9th. They will address the protocol issue.

Federal Judge Watkins may allow Alabama to change its lethal injection method for the Dec. 8 execution of Ronald B. Smith."Because Mr. Smith has pled it and offered the option as viable, readily implemented and available, defendants (Alabama) have accepted the offer," Watkins writes in his order. “All the parties agree that midazolam is available, it is feasible, it is readily implementable, and it is not risky with regard to unnecessary pain and suffering”.

We are hoping for a stay for Thomas Arthur before or on November 3rd but would like to draw your attention to this vigil in Birmingham on that day, which will take place whether there is a stay or not.